Like any major phenomenon that spans the decades, Barbie has a staying power that can last far beyond childhood. Although the target market for the doll is young girls, men and women of all ages spend time collecting all of her various incarnations, accessories and sidekicks. Barbie is a major player in Western culture, and can be found many different art forms - some in tribute, and others not so friendly. There was the controversial Food Chain Barbie, by artist Tom Forsythe, and the unexpected Distorted Barbie. The famous portrait of Barbie by Andy Warhol is currently on display at the real-life Malibu Dream House.
Even jewelry artists can’t help being drawn to this icon of fun and fashion. In her Plastic Body Series, Margaux Lange captures the essence of the infamous Barbie Doll. Like many art forms, each piece can be interpreted according to your own ideas and feelings. Love her or hate her, Barbie makes an awesome pendant!
Margaux Lange: My first introduction to metalsmithing was in high school in Lake George, NY - a public school very fortunate to offer jewelry classes to its’ students. However I didn’t know I wanted to become a professional jeweler until college (BFA: The Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD 2001.) I was a General Fine Arts major and bounced around in various mediums until I decided to concentrate on metals my junior year. For me jewelry was a way of getting Art off of the wall and on to the body so it could be more intimately shared, experienced and literally felt.
Margaux: I used to be obsessed with Barbie dolls as a kid. I would spend hours crafting precious details for their miniature worlds. Playing with Barbie dolls helped to develop my dexterity from a young age and strengthened my attention to detail; skills imperative to the craft of jewelry making.
Barbie made her debut in my artwork in high school and then again in various incarnations throughout college (drawings, sculptures, etc) I became interested in incorporating found objects into my jewelry work and because I had done other artworks with Barbie in the past, it felt natural to try her out in the jewelry realm. It was an unusual idea with a strong personal connection for me, so it felt right. The Plastic Body Series continued to grow from there.
Inspirational Beading: What is your favorite source for inspiration?
Margaux: I know it sounds cliché, but everything inspires me! I am most often inspired by pattern & repetition, colors, textures, pop culture, feminism, nature, art, music, human behavior, facial expressions, humor, etc. Of course I am also continually inspired by other artists as well.
Inspirational Beading: If you could master any new material, what would it be?
Margaux: In addition to broadening my current skills, there's a ton of things I would still love to learn how to work with. Here's the short list: fine gold-smithing, woodworking, large scale welding, resins/plastics, glass cutting… the list goes on and on.
Inspirational Beading: Who do you hope to inspire with your work?
Margaux: My hope is that people will recognize the humor in my work. There are various levels one can read into any given piece in my Plastic Body Series and that's part of the fun. Good art is meant to engage, but who ever said good art can’t also be humorous or irreverent? I hope to inspire individuals to consider thought-provoking wearable art jewelry and perhaps even inspire them to be bold and brazen enough to wear such conversational accessories.
Margaux has been creating work in this series and exhibiting extensively for nearly 10 years. Her jewelry has been published in numerous books and has garnered international press coverage in the world’s top Art, fashion and design magazines. She is represented by Art Jewelry galleries and boutiques across the US and abroad. The Plastic Body Series is sought after by Art Jewelry collectors, Barbie nostalgics, and bold individuals alike.
You can see even more of her unique designs in her Etsy shop, and on her website, Margaux Lange Unique Handcrafted Jewelry. To catch up on her latest creations and inspirations, you can also follow Margaux Lange Jewelry on Facebook and on Twitter.
Copyright 2010 Inspirational Beading and Margaux Lange
I am speechless! How cool! Thank you so much for sharing Margaux's work. Amazing perspective!
ReplyDeleteWhat a novel idea. I can appreciate the talent but agree you'd have to be bold indeed to wear it. I could imagine it would go down a storm with our football WAGS here in the UK. :)
ReplyDeleteMargaux's designs do create a big reaction! What I love about them is that they are works of art all on their own. They have that edginess that makes wearability a secondary factor in their awesomeness!
ReplyDelete